Calvinism and T.U.L.I.P. Explained

While it is true the New Testament letters are addressed to Christians, the contents also describes and applies to non-Christians. As 1 John 2:19 indicates some of the folks within these groups went out from us because they were not of us. Therefore the monolithic audience of the New Testament is an erroneous premise.

Van said:

While it is true the New Testament letters are addressed to Christians, the contents also describes and applies to non-Christians.

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They do not apply to non-Christians when they use the word "we" because that word indicates that the stamtent applies only to Christians, so in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" he speaks only of Christians. If you keep on and say that passages that say "we" do speak of non-Christians, however, then please explain the passage that says "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." (Heb 13:10) The Bible doesn't work the way you want it to, and that's a good thing.

Determining the scope and intent of vague terms is a difficult task. John says in verse 1:6, if we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness , we lie and do not practice truth. In no way is John saying John walks in darkness and does not practice truth. John is simply using an inclusive term to avoid coming on like a holier than thou person. Notice in verse 7, John again uses the very same we, speaking of the behavior of born again believers. Therefore the "we" does not connotate an exclusive group of believers. Again, in verse 8 John is speaking of folks who may think they are saved, but based on the inability to see sin in their lives, their true condition is they are not born again and indwelt. The first step in not sinning is recognizing our sins. Hence verse 9, says if we confess our sins, speaking to the unsaved, God will justifiy us in Christ. Then, verse 10, but if we do not recognize our sins, God's word, the good news of the gospel is not in us, we have not fully accepted the gospel and committed to Christ.

JohnJones said:

No confession = no forgiveness = loss of salvation.

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I haven't seen this view in a long time.